Drive Notes: 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA35 4Matic

Today I bring you a honey of a car that has very few flaws and an expensive yet reasonable price.

Let's get into the pros and cons of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA35 4Matic.

Pros

• The engine makes sweet sounds that are rarely heard these days -- roars that remind you of the power on tap. Yet the car is quiet and docile unless you summon the revs with your right foot.
• The power numbers seem pedestrian for performance cars with 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, but there's plenty of punch here. Make a pass and you'll be thrown back in your seat -- and the soundtrack will be nice and pleasing.
• You don't really feel the hybrid assist kick on, it does its job quietly. Same with the stop/start system.
• The handling is sharp, and the ride is stiff but acceptable -- at least on smooth pavement.
• Mercedes infotainment remains easy to use. It could be complicated, given the amount of info available and the presence of a voice assistant, but it works.
• The haptic-touch controls mostly work well.
• It's easy to flick into the Sport and Sport+ modes
• The interior materials are high class.
• This feels like it should cost at least $75K yet the base price was $54K and the as-tested about $62K.

Cons

• The rear seat is useless for tall adults, especially if the front passengers are tall.
• There's not much rear headroom, either.
• The ride gets stiff and the noise gets loud if the pavement is broken.
• There was no easy way to skip music tracks save for reaching for the touch screen -- at least that I could find.
• If you don't use a plastic extender, you may find a coffee mug flying if you corner a little too hard. Ask me how I know.
• The shifter occasionally lagged to find reverse/drive when parking.

That's all for today.

[Images © 2024 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]

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